Authority of Secretary
Testing for carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and other harmful biological effects; consultation
Diseases not significantly occurring in United States
The Secretary may conduct biomedical research, directly or through grants or contracts, for the identification, control, treatment, and prevention of diseases (including tropical diseases) which do not occur to a significant extent in the United States.
Protection of privacy of individuals who are research subjects
Preterm labor and delivery and infant mortality
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to preterm labor and delivery, preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and infant mortality.
Exemption of certain biomedical information from disclosure
Inapplicability of Federal information policy
Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44 shall not apply to the voluntary collection of information during the conduct of research by the National Institutes of Health.
Availability of substances and living organisms for biomedical and behavioral research
July 1, 1944, ch. 37358 Stat. 691July 3, 1946, ch. 538, § 7(a)60 Stat. 423June 16, 1948, ch. 481, § 4(e)62 Stat. 467June 24, 1948, ch. 621, § 4(e)62 Stat. 601June 25, 1948, ch. 654, § 162 Stat. 1017July 3, 1956, ch. 510, § 470 Stat. 490Pub. L. 86–79874 Stat. 1053Pub. L. 87–838, § 276 Stat. 1073Pub. L. 89–115, § 379 Stat. 448Pub. L. 90–174, § 981 Stat. 540Pub. L. 91–513, title I, § 3(a)84 Stat. 1241Pub. L. 91–515, title II, § 29284 Stat. 1308Pub. L. 92–218, § 6(a)(2)85 Stat. 785Pub. L. 92–423, § 7(b)86 Stat. 687Pub. L. 93–282, title I, § 122(b)88 Stat. 132Pub. L. 93–348, title I, § 104(a)(1)88 Stat. 346Pub. L. 93–352, title I, § 11188 Stat. 360Pub. L. 94–278, title I, § 11190 Stat. 405Pub. L. 95–622, title II92 Stat. 3434Pub. L. 96–88, title V, § 509(b)93 Stat. 695Pub. L. 99–158, § 3(a)(5)99 Stat. 879Pub. L. 99–570, title IV, § 4021(b)(2)100 Stat. 3207–124Pub. L. 99–660, title I, § 104100 Stat. 3751Pub. L. 100–607, title I, § 163(1)102 Stat. 3062Pub. L. 103–43, title XX, § 2009107 Stat. 213Pub. L. 109–450, § 3(a)120 Stat. 3341Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title II130 Stat. 1049Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(j)(1)(A)135 Stat. 2159Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title I, § 141(a)136 Stat. 797(, title III, § 301, ; , (b), ; , (f), ; , (f), ; , ; , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 261, 262, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (2), , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 2012(a), 2013, 2035, 2043, , , 1050, 1062, 1074; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 117–1032022—Subsec. (e). inserted “, preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity,” after “delivery”.
Pub. L. 117–812021—Subsec. (a)(7). substituted “sections 3861 and 4141” for “sections 2353 and 2354”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 2043(1)2016—Subsec. (a). , redesignated concluding provisions of subsec. (a) as par. (1) of subsec. (h).
Pub. L. 114–255, § 2012(a)Subsec. (d). , amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary may authorize persons engaged in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or other research (including research on mental health, including research on the use and effect of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs) to protect the privacy of individuals who are the subject of such research by withholding from all persons not connected with the conduct of such research the names or other identifying characteristics of such individuals. Persons so authorized to protect the privacy of such individuals may not be compelled in any Federal, State, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceedings to identify such individuals.”
Pub. L. 114–255, § 2013Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).
Pub. L. 114–255, § 2035Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).
Pub. L. 114–255, § 2043Subsec. (h). , redesignated concluding provisions of subsec. (a) as par. (1) of subsec. (h) and added pars. (2) and (3).
Pub. L. 109–4502006—Subsec. (e). added subsec. (e).
Pub. L. 103–431993—Subsec. (b)(4). substituted “a biennial report” for “an annual report” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 100–607section 242a of this title1988—Subsec. (d). redesignated concluding provisions of subsec. (a) of as subsec. (d) of this section, substituted “biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or other research (including research on mental health, including” for “research on mental health, including”, and substituted “drugs)” for “drugs,”.
Pub. L. 99–5701986—Subsec. (a)(3). struck out “or, in the case of mental health projects, by the National Advisory Mental Health Council;” after “Department supporting such projects” and struck out “or the National Advisory Mental Health Council” after “appropriate entity of the Department”.
Pub. L. 99–660Subsec. (c). added subsec. (c).
Pub. L. 99–158, § 3(a)(5)(A)Provided1985—Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “as are recommended by the advisory council to the entity of the Department supporting such projects or, in the case of mental health projects, by the National Advisory Mental Health Council; and make, upon recommendation of the advisory council to the appropriate entity of the Department or the National Advisory Mental Health Council, grants-in-aid to public or nonprofit universities, hospitals, laboratories, and other institutions for the general support of their research” for “as are recommended by the National Advisory Health Council, or, with respect to cancer, recommended by the National Cancer Advisory Board, or, with respect to mental health, recommended by the National Advisory Mental Health Council, or with respect to heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases and blood resources, recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council, or, with respect to dental diseases and conditions, recommended by the National Advisory Dental Research Council; and include in the grants for any such project grants of penicillin and other antibiotic compounds for use in such project; and make, upon recommendation of the National Advisory Health Council, grants-in-aid to public or nonprofit universities, hospitals, laboratories, and other institutions for the general support of their research: , That such uniform percentage, not to exceed 15 per centum, as the Secretary may determine, of the amounts provided for grants for research projects for any fiscal year through the appropriations for the National Institutes of Health may be transferred from such appropriations to a separate account to be available for such research grants-in-aid for such fiscal year”.
Pub. L. 99–158, § 3(a)(5)(B)Subsec. (a)(8). , substituted “recommendations of the advisory councils to the appropriate entities of the Department or, with respect to mental health, the National Advisory Mental Health Council, such additional means as the Secretary considers” for “recommendation of the National Advisory Health Council, or, with respect to cancer, upon recommendation of the National Cancer Advisory Board, or, with respect to mental health, upon recommendation of the National Advisory Mental Health Council, or, with respect to heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases and blood resources, upon recommendation of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Advisory Council, or, with respect to dental diseases and conditions, upon recommendations of the National Advisory Dental Research Council, such additional means as he deems”.
Pub. L. 95–6221978— designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), redesignated former pars. (a) to (h) as (1) to (8), respectively, substituted “Secretary” for “Surgeon General” wherever appearing, and inserted following par. (8) provisions relating to authority of Secretary to make available to individuals and entities substances and living organisms, and added subsec. (b).
Pub. L. 94–2781976—Subsecs. (c), (h). substituted “heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases and blood resources” for “heart diseases” and “National Heart, Lung and Blood Advisory Council” for “National Heart and Lung Advisory Council”.
Pub. L. 93–348, § 104(a)(1)1974—Subsec. (c). , redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and substituted “research projects” for “research or research training projects” in two places, “general support of their research” for “general support of their research and research training programs” and “research grants-in-aid” for “research and research training program grants-in-aid”. Former subsec. (c), authorizing Surgeon General to establish and maintain research fellowships in the Public Health Service with such stipends and allowances, including traveling and subsistence expenses, as he may deem necessary to procure the assistance of the most brilliant and promising research fellows from the United States and abroad, was struck out.
Pub. L. 93–348, § 104(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (d). , redesignated subsec. (e) as (d).
Pub. L. 93–282section 242a(a) of this title substituted “mental health, including research on the use and effect of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs” for “the use and effect of drugs” in former concluding provisions of . See 1988 Amendment note above.
Pub. L. 93–348, § 104(a)(1)(C)Subsecs. (e), (f). , redesignated subsecs. (f) and (g) as (e) and (f), respectively. Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).
Pub. L. 93–352Pub. L. 93–348Subsec. (g). struck out “during the fiscal year ending , and each of the eight succeeding fiscal years” after “Enter into contracts”. Notwithstanding directory language that amendment be made to subsec. (h), the amendment was executed to subsec. (g) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening redesignation of subsec. (h) as (g) by .
Pub. L. 93–348, § 104(a)(1)(C), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).
Pub. L. 93–348, § 104(a)(1)(C)Subsecs. (h), (i). , redesignated subsecs. (h) and (i) as (g) and (h), respectively.
Pub. L. 92–4231972—Subsecs. (d), (i). substituted “National Heart and Lung Advisory Council” for “National Advisory Heart Council”.
Pub. L. 92–2181971—Subsecs. (d), (i). substituted “National Cancer Advisory Board” for “National Advisory Cancer Council”.
Pub. L. 91–5131970—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d). See 1988 Amendment note above.
Pub. L. 91–515Subsec. (h). substituted “eight” for “five” succeeding fiscal years.
Pub. L. 90–1741967—Subsec. (h). substituted “five” for “two” succeeding fiscal years.
Pub. L. 89–1151965—Subsecs. (h), (i). added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).
Pub. L. 87–8381962—Subsec. (d). inserted “or research training” in two places.
Pub. L. 86–7981960—Subsec. (d). authorized the Surgeon General, upon recommendation of the National Advisory Health Council, to make grants to public or non-profit universities, hospitals, laboratories, and other institutions to support research and research training programs, and to make available for such research and research training programs, up to 15 per centum of amounts provided for research grants through the appropriations for the National Institutes of Health.
1956—Subsecs. (g), (h). Act , added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).
1948—Subsec. (d). Acts , § 4(e), and , § 4(e), made provisions applicable to the National Advisory Heart Council and the National Advisory Dental Research Council, respectively.
Subsec. (d). Act , continued in basic legislation the authority to purchase penicillin and other antibiotic compounds for use in research projects.
Subsec. (g). Acts , § 4(f), and , § 4(f), made provisions applicable to the National Advisory Heart Council and the National Advisory Dental Research Council, respectively.
1946—Subsec. (d). Act , made the National Advisory Mental Health Council the body to make recommendations to the Surgeon General on awarding of grants-in-aid for research projects with respect to mental health.
Subsec. (g). Act , gave National Advisory Health Council the right to make recommendations to carry out purposes of this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88section 3508(b) of Title 20“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (a)(7), and “Department of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Department of Health, Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (b)(1), (3), and (4)(D)(I), (II), pursuant to , which is classified to , Education.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–622Sections 261 and 262 of provided that the amendments made by those sections are effective .
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 104(b) of Pub. L. 93–348
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Pub. L. 92–423section 9 of Pub. L. 92–423section 218 of this titleAmendment by effective 60 days after , or on such prior date after , as the President shall prescribe and publish in the Federal Register, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Pub. L. 92–218section 7 of Pub. L. 92–218section 218 of this titleAmendment by effective 60 days after , or on such prior date after , as the President shall prescribe and publish in the Federal Register, see , set out as a note under .
Applicability of 2016 Amendment
Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title II, § 2012(b)130 Stat. 1050
Prohibition Against Reinstating Interdisciplinary Review Process for Non-NIH-Funded Researchers
Pub. L. 117–215, title I, § 106136 Stat. 2264
section 106 of Pub. L. 117–215section 2(a) of Pub. L. 117–215section 801 of Title 21[For definition of “marijuana” as used in , set out above, see , set out as a note under , Food and Drugs.]
Director of Advanced Research Projects for Health
Pub. L. 117–328, div. H, title II136 Stat. 4878
section 290c of this title[For transfer of all functions, personnel, missions, activities, authorities, and funds of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Health within the National Institutes of Health, see .]
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation act:
Coordination of Data Surveys and Reports
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title VII, § 703(e)]113 Stat. 1536
Female Genital Mutilation
Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101(d) [title V, § 520]110 Stat. 1321–211Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a)110 Stat. 1327
Sentinel Disease Concept Study
Pub. L. 103–43, title XIX, § 1910107 Stat. 205, , , directed Secretary of Health and Human Services, in cooperation with Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to design and implement a pilot sentinel disease surveillance system for identifying relationship between occupation of household members and incidence of subsequent conditions or diseases in other members of household, and required Director of the National Institutes of Health to prepare and submit to Congress, not later than 4 years after , a report concerning this project.
Study of Thyroid Morbidity for Hanford, Washington
Pub. L. 100–607, title I, § 161102 Stat. 3059Pub. L. 102–531, title III, § 312(e)(1)106 Stat. 3506, , , as amended by , , , directed Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct a study of thyroid morbidity of the population, including Indian tribes and tribal organizations, in vicinity of Hanford, in State of Washington, authorized Director to contract out portions of study, and required Director, not later than 42 months after , to transmit a report, including such study, to Congress, chief executive officers of States of Oregon and Washington, and governing officials of Indian tribes in vicinity of Hanford, Washington.
National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research
Pub. L. 100–607102 Stat. 3060,title I, § 162, , , directed Secretary of Health and Human Services, after consultation with Director of National Institutes of Health, to establish a National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research to conduct a comprehensive study of present state of knowledge of incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality resulting from sleep disorders, and of social and economic impact of such disorders, evaluate public and private facilities and resources (including trained personnel and research activities) available for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research into, such disorders, and identify programs (including biological, physiological, behavioral, environmental, and social programs) by which improvement in management and research into sleep disorders could be accomplished and, not later than 18 months after initial meeting of Commission, to submit to appropriate Committees of Congress a final report, and provided for termination of the Commission 30 days after submission of final report.
Research With Respect to Health Resources and Services Administration
Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 632102 Stat. 3147, , , provided that with respect to any program of research pursuant to this chapter, any such program carried out in fiscal year 1987 by an agency other than Health Resources and Services Administration (or appropriate to be carried out by such an agency) could not, for each of fiscal years 1989 through 1991, be carried out by such Administration.
Continuing Care for Psychiatric Patients in Former Clinical Research Center at National Institute on Drug Abuse
Pub. L. 99–117, § 1099 Stat. 494
Analysis of Thyroid Cancer; Creation and Publication of Radioepidemiological Tables
Pub. L. 97–414, § 796 Stat. 2059Pub. L. 109–482, title I, § 104(b)(3)(A)120 Stat. 3694
Termination of Advisory Committees
Pub. L. 93–641, § 688 Stat. 2275section 217a of this title, , , set out as a note under , provided that an advisory committee established pursuant to the Public Health Service Act shall terminate at such time as may be specifically prescribed by an Act of Congress enacted after .
Executive Documents
Executive Order No. 13435
Ex. Ord. No. 13435, , 72 F.R. 34591, which directed research with stem cells not derived from the creation or destruction of a human embryo or fetus, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13505, § 5(b), , 74 F.R. 10668, set out below.
Ex. Ord. No. 13505. Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells
Ex. Ord. No. 13505, , 74 F.R. 10667, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
SectionPolicy 1. . Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the research should be supported by Federal funds.
For the past 8 years, the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund and conduct human embryonic stem cell research has been limited by Presidential actions. The purpose of this order is to remove these limitations on scientific inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America’s scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind.
SecResearch. 2. . The Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary), through the Director of NIH, may support and conduct responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law.
SecGuidance. 3. . Within 120 days from the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Director of NIH, shall review existing NIH guidance and other widely recognized guidelines on human stem cell research, including provisions establishing appropriate safeguards, and issue new NIH guidance on such research that is consistent with this order. The Secretary, through NIH, shall review and update such guidance periodically, as appropriate.
SecGeneral Provisions. 4. . (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
SecRevocations. 5. . (a) The Presidential statement of , limiting Federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells, shall have no further effect as a statement of governmental policy.
(b) Executive Order 13435 of , which supplements the , statement on human embryonic stem cell research, is revoked.
Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research
Memorandum of President of the United States, , 74 F.R. 38885, provided:
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
As outlined in Executive Order 13505 of , my Administration is committed to supporting and conducting ethically responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law. Pursuant to that order, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published final “National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research” (Guidelines), effective . These Guidelines apply to the expenditure of NIH funds for research using human embryonic stem cells and certain uses of human induced pluripotent stem cells. The Guidelines are based on the principles that responsible research with human embryonic stem cells has the potential to improve our understanding of human biology and aid in the discovery of new ways to prevent and treat illness, and that individuals donating embryos for research purposes should do so freely, with voluntary and informed consent. These Guidelines will ensure that NIH-funded research adheres to the highest ethical standards.
In order to ensure that all federally funded human stem cell research is conducted according to these same principles and to promote a uniform Federal policy across the executive branch, I hereby direct the heads of executive departments and agencies that support and conduct stem cell research to adopt these Guidelines, to the fullest extent practicable in light of legal authorities and obligations. I also direct those departments and agencies to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), within 90 days, proposed additions or revisions to any other guidance, policies, or procedures related to human stem cell research, consistent with Executive Order 13505 and this memorandum. The Director of the OMB shall, in coordination with the Director of NIH, review these proposals to ensure consistent implementation of Executive Order 13505 and this memorandum.
This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. Executive departments and agencies shall carry out the provisions of this memorandum to the extent permitted by law and consistent with their statutory and regulatory authorities and their enforcement mechanisms.
The Director of the OMB is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Engaging in Public Health Research on the Causes and Prevention of Gun Violence
Memorandum of President of the United States, , 78 F.R. 4295, provided that:
Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services
In addition to being a law enforcement challenge, gun violence is also a serious public health issue that affects thousands of individuals, families, and communities across the Nation. Each year in the United States there are approximately 30,000 firearm-related deaths, and approximately 11,000 of those deaths result from homicides. Addressing this critical issue requires a comprehensive, multifaceted approach.
Recent research suggests that, in developing such an approach, a broader public health perspective is imperative. Significant strides can be made by assessing the causes of gun violence and the successful efforts in place for preventing the misuse of firearms. Taking these steps will improve our understanding of the gun violence epidemic and will aid in the continued development of gun violence prevention strategies.
Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
SectionResearch 1. . The Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary), through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other scientific agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, shall conduct or sponsor research into the causes of gun violence and the ways to prevent it. The Secretary shall begin by identifying the most pressing research questions with the greatest potential public health impact, and by assessing existing public health interventions being implemented across the Nation to prevent gun violence.
SecGeneral Provisions. 2. . (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
SecPublication. 3. . You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.